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Duchenne patient begins Translarna treatment

Sat, 05 Nov 2016

A local boy who was initially denied access to a drug which could help manage his muscle wasting condition has begun treatment.

The Department of Health and Social Care reversed its decision not to fund Translarna for Finley Hesketh last month.

The seven-year-old - who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy - has been to Alder Hey Hospital in the UK for baseline Translarna tests this week, with the medication being posted to the family in the next fortnight.

Translarna is funded by the NHS in England, but has previously not been paid for by the Manx Government, resulting in a high-profile campaign led by Finley's family.

Following the hospital visit, the Finley's Tracks campaign took to Facebook to thank all those who have helped support the youngster's cause in recent months.